Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree!

Our tree is up! Actually, it's been up since the day after Thanksgiving, but I didn't get a chance to take any pictures until now. Shane was a such a good helper! Before we even got out the decorations, he was putting his toys in the tree. I'm not sure where he got that idea, but he was on the right track! My original plan was not to have any ornaments near the bottom of the tree since Shane likes to grab everything in sight, but he is doing surprisingly well! He likes to hear what each ornament is called and he will grab them, but we say "no touch, isn't that a pretty snowflake?" and he let's go and smiles. It's adorable. He loves all the lights and will point and say "lights, lights, LIGHTS!" He also thinks a penguin is a duck and says "quack, quack, quack" whenever he sees it. It's so cute that I don't bother correcting him. On that note, you can now ask Shane was noise a duck, cat, snake or bumble bee makes and he will respond with the appropriate sound. Daddy was so impressed when we showed him! We asked him what a dog sounds like and he just blew like he was blowing bubbles. We need to work on that one still!

This is Shane's favorite spot by the tree

Shane and Daddy

Shane helping put up the XMas lights

Thinking about what he isn't going to touch next!

"Quack, quack, quack" says the penguin! Haha!

What a beautiful sight!

Thanksgiving Vacation

"Don't touch my banana!!"

Yep, that is Shane eating a banana like a big boy. He is really into doing things himself these days.

Well, I had a lovely 9 DAYS OFF WORK last week, but of course it was jam packed with things to do every day. Ryan and I took Shane to the Harvest Festival in Sacramento and got some lovely Christmas gifts. This is an event we go to every year and it's such a great way to get into the Holiday Spirit!

The next day Mom and I took Shane to Redding to visit with my Mom's cousin (Niki), my 2nd cousin (Monika) and Shane's 3rd cousin (Cooper). Cooper and Shane are 6 weeks apart and we couldn't wait for them to finally meet! The very first afternoon we were there the boys got to see deer in Niki's front yard! They were very excited and of course scared the deer away with their excited screeching pretty quickly. The next day we took them to Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding and they had a great time exploring the river and looking at the big fishies!

"WHOA! Did you see that BIG fish, Mama?!?"

Grandmas love to spoil their Grandsons

Shane exploring the river with his sticks

Cooper and Shane (still with his sticks!)

Cooper is so silly!

Shane loved playing with all of Cooper's toys

Cousins

Shane LOVED playing in all of the leaves

Shane and Cooper in the hats I made for them

They were both DONE with pictures

Shane's expression cracks me up

Then Ryan and I hosted Thanksgiving at our house this year. We got a Willie Bird Turkey and I brined it for the first time. This is when you soak the turkey in a brine for 24 hours and it is supposed to be twice as moist and cook in half the time. Everyone was a bit skeptical of this process since none of us had tried it before, but I am proud to say it turned out PERFECT! (I will post a pic later since it was on our neighbor's camera.) We have many things to be thankful for this year and it was so great to be able to host this special event with our new friends and family.

Tony and Ryan wrestling the turkey

The whole gang before dinner

Shane says "Gobble Gobble!"

The best part was that my brother came out from Las Vegas for Thanksgiving and stayed through the weekend. It was great to get to see him since he won't make it out for Christmas this year. He is expecting a baby girl (Carah) just two weeks after Christmas!! Good luck Cory and Janice!

Shane loves his Uncle Cory :D

Cory and I enjoying VIP at Suite 181 in San Francisco

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

My little swimmer

Shane had used his bath ring seat up until his 1st birthday last month because he was scared of slipping in the tub, but now he is fearless! His favorite new thing is to lay on his tummy and kick and splash and put his face in the water. I think we have a little swimmer on our hands! I know we aren't even officially into winter yet, but I can't wait to see how he does in the pool this summer. Just look at my cute little naked baby! :)



Shane's friend Dylan had his 1st birthday party last weekend. They weren't very interested in playing with each other, but Shane is really starting to get the hang of the whole opening presents situation now that he has been to so many birthday parties! After Christmas he will be a pro!




We also had a play date with Lennon. She is 6 weeks older than Shane and is just adorable. She LOVES to give hugs and kisses and always wants to share. I think she is a little too aggressive for Shane, but boy were they cute together!



P.S. I am VERY proud to report that Shane has been sleeping 11 hours straight EVERY NIGHT! WOO HOO! Hooray for me finally getting a decent nights sleep after a whole year!!! Let's hope I don't jinx it by talking about it :D

Halloween Fun

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Don't we have the cutest little puppy dog?!? Shane is a little young for trick-or-treating still, but we did go to Nora's 1st Birthday/Costume Party last weekend where he got to wear his cute doggy outfit. It was about 90 degrees that day and I can't say the kids were very thrilled to be dressed up!

Birthday girl Nora, her cousin Mazie and Shane

Shane told Nora how good cheese puff are...
now she is hooked!

Shane is looking good in Emily's Elvis glasses

Singing Happy 1st Birthday to Nora!


Nora wearing the cute hat I made for her
(minus the halo)

Ryan and I carved pumpkins a couple days before Halloween and Shane was very excited to be in on the action. I wasn't sure what he would think after he hated having the cake frosting all over his hands, but he dove right in! He was Mommy's big helper and would pick up each seed that dropped and would put it in the bowl for me. What a good boy!

Then it was off to Jackie's 27th Birthday/Halloween Party. Grandma Linda babysat Shane for us and it was his first ever sleep over away from Mom and Dad. I am proud to say that he did GREAT! He is now sleeping through the night (for the most part) and even took a 3 hour nap for Grandma which is unheard of! Ryan and I had a well deserved night out and had a great time at the party. The best part...I didn't get out of bed until NOON the following day. Ahh, it was wonderful!

King Leonidas & Queen Gorgo from the movie 300

We love each other...I swear!

Queen Gorgo, Morticia Addams, toga chick & Lara Croft

Jackie (the birthday girl) and I

My neighbors...Morticia and Gomez Addams

Me enjoying my night out...CHEERS!

The price I paid for wearing sexy shoes

Ryan was the first out of his costume of course

My best girls...April and Jackie

The end of the night...can you tell?